Technical assistance at UNICEF, Kampala , Uganda

Job Description

WFP in partnership with UNICEF, and the Government of Uganda (GoU), through the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM), the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MLGSD), Ministry of Health (MoH), and Ministry of Local Government is implementing 5 years (2019-2024) Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in West Nile sub region. The joint programme supports the GoU to make social protection and health systems more efficient, transparent, child- and nutrition-sensitive, and to scale up the coverage, effectiveness and efficiency of existing programmes.

The West Nile sub-region experiences a disproportionate burden of maternal newborn and child mortality and morbidity when compared to other regions in the country. These challenges are exacerbated by elevated poverty levels and strained healthcare services resulting from the significant presence of refugee population. The CSSP programme, in collaboration with existing government structures, has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues, encompassing social protection, healthcare, nutrition, and other vulnerabilities

The programme’s overall objective is to achieve improved health and nutrition of young children and enhanced community and household resilience among refugees and host populations in refugee-hosting districts of West Nile.

The three specific programme objectives include:

Improved economic inclusion of households–for households to enhance their participation in local economies by increasing their contribution to and benefits from markets
Improved maternal and child nutrition status; and
Improved maternal and child health.
The programme activities are organized around three components:

Social protection system strengthening – WFP-led
Health system strengthening – UNICEF-led
Cross-cutting activities including linkages to other programmes, market engagement and evidence generation – both WFP and UNICEF.
The learning component under the CSSP programme is intended the generate, synthesize and utilize evidence on the impact of the programme strategies. This component aims to enhance the involvement of various stakeholders, including development partners, civil society, government, academia, and beneficiaries, to promote the exchange of knowledge, collaboration, decision-making based on evidence, and shared learning. Given this background, UNICEF is seeking that support of a consultant to assist in developing relevant learning products.

Purpose of the assignment:

In collaboration with WFP’s programme learning officer, support the implementation of the child sensitive social protection program’s learning agenda, including the development and dissemination of related products

Justification

The CSSP programme incorporates a comprehensive learning plan as an integral component, aimed at generating high-quality learning materials that showcase the program’s strategies and achievements. These valuable resources will encompass collaborative bi-annual program updates, shared research papers, mutual progress reports, and collective success stories. This consultancy, therefore, is to facilitate the practical application of knowledge and expertise in crafting exceptional products while also aiding in their dissemination, both within UNICEF and externally among its partners.

Objectives

The consultant will work closely with WFP, MoH,  District Local Governments, UNICEF Health, HIV, Nutrition, Social Behavioural Change and Communication Specialists, Gulu UNICEF Zone office teams and AVSI to:

Support the implementation of the learning agenda of the CSSP programme including the learning roadmap, in close collaboration with Gulu Zonal Office and content experts at National level and WFP
Coordinate joint learning activities including development and dissemination of learning products.
In collaboration with the programme learning officer at WFP and together with UBOS, oversee the development and publication of programme webpages, ensure timely updates and develop high quality content documenting key programme results and learning.
Support development and rollout of programme learning tracker to ensure implementation of programme learnings and recommendations.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

An advanced university degree required in communication and public health, development and humanitarian experience and in lieu of advanced degree, two additional years of required experience plus a first degree will be considered.

Work Experience

At least 7 years of experience in writing and documenting, producing knowledge products for dissemination to various audiences in several formats including for publication.
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, research, and documentation of maternal newborn, adolescent health, Nutrition, Social Behavioural Change (SBC) programs or MNCH required – particularly in Ugandan context.
Motivated, highly organized, critical thinker with strong analytical skills who can work as part of a team and independently.
Exceptionally strong written communication skills with the capacity to produce near-final products
Work experience with similar assignment and relevant publications
Strong communication, advocacy, and facilitation skills
Deep understanding of health systems and understanding
Experience working with the national and district local governments in Uganda, and a strong understanding of the health system
Proven ability to manage relationships with UNICEF partners, including UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector
Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy and fundraising
Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
Strong writing and communication skills and the aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences
Ability to travel and work in remote locations